The document discusses strategies for managing an aging workforce. It notes that the American workforce is aging, with 40 million workers expected to be over 55 years old by 2016. Older workers tend to have fewer injuries but more severe ones when injured. The document provides recommendations for modifying jobs, workspaces, and strategies to accommodate physical changes in aging workers, such as deteriorating vision and hearing, and reduced flexibility and strength. It also discusses strategies for keeping older workers engaged after an injury through communication and modified duty roles.

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Better With Age:
Strengthening Your
Workforce and
Productivity

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Susan Shemanski
Vice President Client Services
Sedgwick

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In 2008 – 28 Million Workers over age 55
In 2016 – 40 Million Workers will be over 55
Younger workforce will only increase by 5-7%
2008 AARP study reported that 70% of US workers plan on working
past retirement age
Part of increase due to Baby Boomers
American Workforce is Changing
Part due to economy
Concerns over rising health care costs

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Value Your Mature Workers
Keep them
healthy on
the job
Prevent
workplace
injuries
Speed
return to
work times
after
injuries

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NCCI Study on Aging Workforce
Older Workers have the fewest number of work related injuries
Workers 35 and older have 50% higher loss severities
Higher wages are key to higher indemnity severity
Older workers have more rotator cuff and knee injuries. Younger
workers more back and ankle sprains
Older workers require more treatments per claim

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Issues that Impact Older Workers
Deteriorating eyesight & hearing
Less physical flexibility & strength
Slower reaction times
Reduced ability to concentrate
Loss of balance
More pre-existing conditions

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Higher Stress Levels
Family demands
Boomerang children
to care for
Grandchildren to
help raise
Aging parents to
care for

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Benefits
• Expertise
• Loyalty
• Commitment to
quality
• Better judgment
• Make outstanding
mentors
Benefits of Older Workers

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Managing Your Aging Workforce
Find a good match to worker’s capabilities and the job demands
Modify jobs to respond to age related changes
Wellness programs
Promote supervisor and co-worker engagement with injured workers
RTW programs help you retain experience and talent

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Aging Facts
• Strength - 25-30% decrease at age 65
• Flexibility - 18-20% decrease at age 65
• Balance - 1/3 of 65 years or older fall each year
• Sight - All aspects deteriorate
• Reaction time and speed - Decreases
• Hearing - 1/3 of 65-74 year olds have problems
• Manual Dexterity - Decreases
• Body Fat - Increases

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Workspace Design
Above the
Shoulder
• Vision
• Hearing
• Cognitive ability
Below the
Shoulder
• Strength
• Heat stress
• Shift work
• Connective tissue
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Trips, slips, falls

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Strategies
• Increase lighting by 20-30%
• Provide both visual and audio information
to machine operators
• Use LED lighting to make defects more
visible
• Avoid use of small print on instructions
and equipment
• Use LCD displays for reduced glare
• Slow the rate of information presentation
Above the
Shoulder
Strategies

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Strategies
• Don’t use a foot pedal from a standing
position
• Improve illumination for walking surfaces
and stairs
• Clear markings on the first and last 2 steps
• Avoid swing shift scheduling
• When precision tools are needed, provide
a higher coefficient of friction between the
operator’s fingers and the tool surface
Below the
Shoulder
Strategies

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Strategies
• Reaction times - avoid working at
heights, working in windy conditions
and on slippery surfaces
• Balance - avoid work areas with marble
or polished floors which tend to be
slippery
• Balance - non-slip soles on shoes
• Balance - uneven walk surfaces, clutter
such as dust, debris and cords
Sensory
Strategies

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Strategies
• Regular exercise and training
• Team older workers with younger workers
• Design and assign jobs with physical
capabilities in mind
• Avoid repetitive tasks and prolonged
standing
• Use anti-fatigue mats and mechanical aids
• Sit/Stand workstations and adjustable
chairs
Physical
Strength
Strategies

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Cardiovascular and Respiratory
Regular
exercise
Avoid work in
very hot or
very cold
environments
Physically demanding
jobs should be self
paced or appropriate
durations

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Strategies
• Assistive technology (digital
assistants, electronic calendars, timers)
• Instructive cues (text and illustrative)
• Refresher training courses
• Increased opportunities for practicing
tasks
Neurological
Strategies

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Signs that Aging is having an Impact
• Fatigue and tripping
• Loss of patience and
irritability
• Feedback from supervisors
on declining performance
• Numbers and patterns of
sick days
• History of minor injuries
and near misses

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Strategies
Strategies Companies Implemented
Training to upgrade skills
Reducing work schedules
Hiring retired employees as consultants
Part time work without benefits
Part time with benefits
Shifting of career tracks
*AARP study
……………………………………………..45%
…………………………………………….18%
………………………30%
………….……………………….27%
………………………………………………..24%
………………….………………………………8%
Percentage currently
used

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AARP ranked Co. as # 1 for workers over 50
One third of nurses over age 50
Well designed retirement and health
insurance offerings
Lift Teams
WE Teams
95% reduction in losses in high injury areas
Company Removed Obstacles

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Keep Connected after an Injury
Make
calls, send
cards, send
emails, and
show they
are missed
Reinforce
the value
they add to
the
workforce
Identify
modified
duty jobs for
aging
workers
Make jobs
productive
so they stay
conditioned

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QUESTIONS?

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Susan Shemanski
Vice President Client Services
Sedgwick
Phone: 704-717-7704
Susan.Shemanski@sedgwickcms.com